ATM Belize Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal)
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Duration
8 hours
Departure
Belize City
Transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle
Group Size
Daily Tour - Unlimited
Special Offer
Limited-time 15% off! Book now to save US$47 on this amazing tour!
About This Tour
Enter Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), often cited by National Geographic as the most sacred cave in the world. This full-body expedition takes you deep into Xibalba, the Maya underworld, where ancient ceremonial artifacts and the crystallized "Crystal Maiden" skeleton remain exactly where Maya priests left them over 1,000 years ago. Hike through jungle, swim into the cave entrance, and climb to cathedral-like chambers for an archaeological experience unlike anything else on Earth.
• Hike 45 minutes through Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve • Swim into the hourglass-shaped cave entrance • See ancient Maya pottery, stoneware, and ceremonial artifacts • Climb to "The Cathedral" chamber with skeletal remains • Witness the famous Crystal Maiden sparkling in your headlamp • Expert licensed guides required at this protected UNESCO site • Lunch included after the expedition
Tour Highlights
- Explore the Cave of the Crystal Sepulcher - most fascinating archaeological site in Belize
- 45-minute jungle hike through Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
- Wade or swim through Roaring River to enter the cave
- Discover ceramic pots used in sacred Maya ceremonies
- See the Crystal Maiden - crystallized skeletal remains
- Ancient Maya artwork and petroglyphs on cave walls
- Learn about Maya reverence for the underworld
- Licensed tour operators ensuring preservation of the site
What's Included
What's Not Included
Itinerary
Departure from Belize City
Promptly depart Belize City in air-conditioned vehicle. Early start maximizes jungle time and ensures optimal cave experience.
Arrive at Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
Scenic drive through lush Belizean countryside. Arrive at the reserve, receive safety briefing, and prepare for the jungle trek.
45-Minute Jungle Hike Begins
Trek through pristine rainforest, crossing three streams. Build anticipation as you approach the hourglass-shaped cave entrance.
Swim Into the Cave Entrance
Wade and swim a short distance into the dark, cool mouth of the ATM Belize cave system. Leave the modern world behind.
Enter Xibalba - The Mayan Underworld
Equipped with helmets and headlamps, begin hiking, wading, and climbing through subterranean passages of the living museum.
Discover Ancient Artifacts
Encounter ancient stoneware, ceramics, and tools untouched for over a thousand years. Witness the preservation of Maya history.
Ascend to The Cathedral
Climb ladders to reach the upper chamber known as 'The Cathedral' where profound silence and palpable history await.
The Crystal Maiden
Experience the tour highlight - the calcified skeletal remains of a young woman sparkling in lamp light, a hauntingly beautiful reminder of ancient rituals.
Exit Cave and Return Hike
Complete the cave exploration and hike back through the jungle to the reserve entrance.
Lunch Break
Enjoy complementary lunch and share experiences from this unforgettable journey into the Mayan underworld.
Return to Belize City
Relaxing return journey through the Belizean countryside, arriving back at your accommodation.
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Information on Belize
→ Official Belize Travel Information (travelbelize.org)Customer Reviews
Andrew Martinez
Los Angeles, California
Best tour I've ever done, period
ATM Cave is not a typical tourist experience. You're hiking through jungle, wading and swimming through rivers, then entering this massive cave system. Once inside, you're walking (in socks!) through chambers where the Maya performed ceremonies. The pottery, stone tools, and skeletal remains are right there - not in a museum, but exactly where they were left 1000+ years ago. It's profound and humbling. Physically demanding but worth every ounce of effort. This is what real adventure travel looks like.
November 18, 2024
Christine Adams
Chicago, Illinois
Absolutely mind-blowing
I've traveled extensively and ATM Cave ranks as one of my most memorable experiences ever. The approach through the jungle and rivers builds anticipation perfectly. Inside the cave, you're surrounded by incredible formations, then you reach the ceremonial chambers. Seeing human remains and artifacts in situ is powerful - these aren't replicas, it's the real deal. Guide was respectful and knowledgeable, explained Maya cosmology and why caves were sacred. Challenging tour but completely worth it.
October 22, 2024
Matthew Turner
Toronto, Ontario
Bucket list experience delivered
Been wanting to do ATM Cave for years. It lived up to all expectations. The adventure aspect is real - you're getting wet, climbing over rocks, swimming. The cave itself is enormous with spectacular formations. But what sets this apart is the archaeology - seeing intact pottery and remains where the Maya left them is extraordinary. It's like being an explorer discovering something untouched. Guide was excellent. Be prepared to get muddy and wet. 100% worth it.
October 5, 2024
Jennifer Clark
Seattle, Washington
Profound experience
ATM Cave is sacred space, and you feel it. The physical journey to reach the ceremonial areas - through rivers, into the cave depths - mirrors the spiritual journey the Maya intended. Our guide was thoughtful and reverent while explaining the significance of what we were seeing. The skeletal remains, especially, demand respect and contemplation. This is not entertainment, it's privilege - being allowed to witness and understand Maya beliefs about death and the underworld. Deeply moving.
September 20, 2024
David Murphy
Manchester, United Kingdom
Extraordinary archaeological experience
As someone who's visited archaeological sites worldwide, ATM Cave is in a class by itself. The preservation is remarkable - no glass cases, no ropes, just you and ancient Maya history. The cave formations are beautiful in their own right. Combined with the pottery, tools, and remains in original context, it's overwhelming in the best way. Guide was brilliant, explained glyphs and artifacts without being pedantic. Physically challenging but manageable with reasonable fitness.
September 8, 2024
Rachel Foster
Denver, Colorado
Worth every bit of effort
ATM Cave is not easy - you'll get wet, muddy, tired. But the payoff is incredible. Seeing the Crystal Maiden and other remains where they've been for over a millennium is haunting and beautiful. The cave itself is spectacular. Our guide was wonderful, clearly loves this site and respects its significance. He made sure everyone was safe while sharing deep knowledge of Maya culture and beliefs. This tour is challenging but so, so rewarding. Do it.
August 25, 2024
Eric Thompson
San Antonio, Texas
Incredible adventure
ATM Cave is intense. Swimming through the cave entrance, climbing up into chambers, then seeing intact archaeological sites - pottery everywhere, obsidian blades, human skeletal remains. The scale of the cave is massive. Guide was great at explaining the ceremonial significance and handling the group safely. You need decent fitness but don't need to be an athlete. This is real archaeology, real adventure. One of the coolest things I've ever done.
August 10, 2024
Lauren Bennett
Vancouver, British Columbia
Remarkable experience
ATM Cave exceeded every expectation. The jungle hike and river crossings set the adventurous tone. Inside the cave, the geological formations are stunning. Then you reach the archaeological sections and it's breathtaking - seeing artifacts exactly where the Maya left them feels surreal. The remains are handled with appropriate reverence. Guide was excellent, explained both the natural and cultural significance. Physically demanding but absolutely worth the challenge. Unforgettable.
July 28, 2024
Patrick Walsh
Dublin, Ireland
Best archaeological tour in Central America
I've done tours at Tikal, Chichen Itza, Copan - ATM Cave tops them all for sheer impact. It's visceral and immediate in a way museum-like sites can't match. You're entering sacred Maya space, seeing sacrifice victims and ceremonial objects undisturbed for centuries. The cave formations are spectacular on their own. Guide was brilliant, explained the cosmological significance of Xibalba and cave rituals. Not easy physically but manageable. Absolutely brilliant experience.
July 15, 2024
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per person
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